Kamala Harris, the first female and minority US Vice President, has strongly criticized Project 2025, a comprehensive conservative policy document, labeling it an "assault on democracy." This 922-page manual, developed by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank established in 1973, outlines potential policies for a future Donald Trump administration.
The document proposes significant changes in various areas, including immigration, civil service, and government control. It suggests mass deportations of over 11 million undocumented immigrants and advocates for increased presidential authority over the Department of Justice and FBI, both long-standing institutions founded in 1870 and 1908 respectively.
At a recent rally, Harris highlighted concerning aspects of Project 2025:
"If implemented, this plan will be the latest attack in Donald Trump's full-on assault on reproductive freedom."
She also mentioned the document's proposals to cut social security, remove insulin price caps, and abolish the Department of Education, which has been in existence since 1979.
Interestingly, the Trump campaign has distanced itself from Project 2025. Campaign officials have stated that the project "had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the president in any way." This move appears to be an attempt to present a more moderate stance on controversial issues such as abortion access.
The document's proposals sometimes extend beyond Trump's publicly stated views. For instance, it endorses limiting access to mifepristone, an abortion medication approved by the FDA in 2000. It also suggests placing limits on Medicare claims, a program that has been providing health insurance to Americans over 65 since its enactment in 1965.
Project 2025 involves numerous individuals with ties to the Trump administration. The director, Paul Dans, served in the Office of Personnel Management during Trump's term. Other key figures include Steven Groves, Spencer Chretien, and Russ Vought, all of whom held positions in the previous administration.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Project 2025 remains a contentious topic. While its supporters view it as a blueprint for an "effective conservative administration," critics see it as a potential threat to democratic norms and social programs established over decades of American history.